Hands-free animal call holder

ABSTRACT

An animal call rotating device that allows the user hands free manipulation of the calling device, thereby allowing the user to use both hands to hold and operate a weapon, camera, or other device. The holder can be secured to any part of a hunting stand, frame, shelter, or device.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application U.S.Ser. No. 60/756,310, entitled “Hands Free Animal Call Holder” and filedJan. 5, 2006, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to animal calls. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to an animal call holder.More particularly, the present invention relates to a hands free animalcall holder.

2. Description of the Problem and Related Art

Numerous types of game calls are known, including duck calls, deercalls, and turkey calls. The calls are designed to simulate a number ofdifferent animal sounds that may attract game. One type of game call isa weighted diaphragm call that generates animal sounds when air flow isdirected over reeds or some other sound generating apparatus. Thesecalls are often in casings that are cylindrical in shape, a few inchesin diameter, and a few inches high. To operate these devices, the deviceis normally rotated, often 180 degrees (i.e., from upright to upsidedown), causing an internally weighted diaphragm to move and generateairflow over the sound generating apparatus. Traditional weighteddiaphragm calls make the desired sound only when the call is turnedupside down from its designed position. Thus, once the call is rotated180 degrees and makes the desired sound, the call must be reset to itsoriginal position and then rotated to the same upside down position torepeat the noise. One typical example of this type of call known in theindustry is the female deer “bleat” call. Weighted diaphragm calls arenot the only type of calls that generate animal sounds upon a rotatingmotion, but they are generally the most used.

Traditionally, the weighted diaphragm calls are taken by hunters orwildlife observers into their hunting stand or blind and used tosimulate the animal calls. The user rotates the device by hand everytime the user desires to create the animal sound. However, operation inthis manner has at least two distinct drawbacks. First, most hunters andwildlife observers will have a gun, archery device, weapon, or camera intheir hands while waiting for the game. When the user desires to makethe animal sound, the user's arm and hand must move from their gun orcamera to the call, rotate it (often 180 degrees), reset the call to itsoriginal position, place it in a secure place, and return their arms andhands the desired position, for example the gun. This creates aconsiderable amount of movement which may be detected by the game beinghunted or observed. If the animal detects the movement, it may becomefrightened and run away. Second, by using a hand to rotate the device,the user's hand is occupied in operating the device rather than on theuser's weapon, camera, or other device, that often requires two hands toproperly operate. When hunting or observing game, a user may only haveseconds to react to a situation. If the user's hand is rotating the gamecall when the opportunity presents itself, the user may miss the shot ofa lifetime.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to an animal call holder, and moreparticularly an animal call holder and mechanism that can operate theanimal call hands free. This allows the user to keep both hands on theweapon or camera at all times, and minimizes the movement associatedwith operating the animal call. While the present invention is best usedwith weighted diaphragm calls, the present invention may be utilizedwith any type of game call that generates sound upon rotation.

In one embodiment the invention comprises a foot pedal having aproximate end and a distal end, a base having a proximate end and adistal end, wherein the proximate end of the foot pedal and theproximate end of the base are connected at a pivot point, a rotatingmechanism connected to the distal end of the foot pedal, wherein therotating mechanism comprises a securing arm extending downward from thefoot pedal, a curved connecting member having a first end and a secondend, a rotating arm, and a rotatable shaft, wherein the first end of thecurved connecting member is rotatably attached to the securing arm andthe second end of the curved connecting member is rotatably attached toone end of the rotating arm, said rotating arm having a second endfixedly connected to a rotatable shaft, and an animal call holderconnected to the rotatable shaft and configured to retain an animalcall.

In another embodiment, the invention comprises a foot pedal, a pedestal,said pedestal comprising a vertical member having a shaft aperturetherein and a horizontal member, and wherein the foot pedal and saidhorizontal member of the pedestal are connected at a pivot point, arotating mechanism connected to the foot pedal wherein the rotatingmechanism includes a rotatable shaft positioned through the shaftaperture of the vertical member of the pedestal, and an animal callholder attached to the rotatable shaft of the rotating mechanism,whereby a downward force on the foot pedal causes the animal call holderto rotate.

In another embodiment, the invention comprises a pedal having a firstend and a second end, a pedestal having a first end and a second end,said pedal and pedestal connected at a pivot point, a rotating mechanismhaving a rotatable shaft operatively connected to the pedal such thatvertical motion of the pedal rotates said rotatable shaft, and a gamecall holder connected to the rotatable shaft of the rotating mechanism.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages,and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is tobe understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achievedin accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus,the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achievesor optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught hereinwithout necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught orsuggested herein.

These and other embodiments of the present invention will also becomereadily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures,the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment(s)disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a separate view of the rotating mechanism in FIGS. 3 and 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments of the present invention and their advantagesare best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings.The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasisinstead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of theinvention. Throughout the drawings, like numerals are used for like andcorresponding parts of the various drawings.

This invention may be provided in other specific forms and embodimentswithout departing from the essential characteristics as describedherein. The embodiments described above are to be considered in allaspects as illustrative only and not restrictive in any manner. Thefollowing claims rather than the foregoing description indicate thescope of the invention.

As described above and shown in the associated drawings, the presentinvention comprises an apparatus for rotating a game call. Whileparticular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will beunderstood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto, sincemodifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly inlight of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by theappended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate thosefeatures or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the inventioncontains a base (or pedestal) 19, a foot pedal 12 connected to the base19, a rotating mechanism operatively connected to the foot pedal 12, anda game call holder 15 connected to the rotating mechanism. The preferredembodiment includes a spring 11 that biases the foot pedal away from thebase 19. The base (or pedestal) preferably has a horizontal member and avertical member, with the vertical member configured to receive arotatable shaft that connects to the game call holder 15 (discussedfurther below).

The game call holder 15 can be of any size and configuration sufficientto hold a game call. Preferably, the holder 15 is configured toaccommodate calls of different sizes. Applicant's preferred embodimentincludes a bracket generally in the shape of a half-circle. In thisembodiment, the call is placed against the bracket and the call securedby a rubber strap 22. The bracket may include a hook 21 or otherprotrusion on which to secure the ends of the strap 22. Alternatively,one end of the strap could remain affixed to the device itself. Thestrap may be made of any type of material.

In the preferred embodiment, when the foot pedal 12 is depressed againstthe spring 11, the foot pedal 12 pivots around a hinge point 10. Thehinge point 10 is preferably at ends of the foot pedal 12 and base (orpedestal) 19, although alternative placement is possible and within thescope of the invention. Just as an example, the foot pedal 12 could beplaced in the middle of the base 19 (not depicted). This action causes arotating mechanism operatively connected to the foot pedal 12 to rotatethe game call holder 15. While the lever designed to receive the forceis generally referred to as a “foot pedal,” the invention can beoperated using force applied in other ways, and the invention is notlimited to operation by a user's foot.

In one embodiment, the rotating mechanism comprises a straight toothrack 14 and a toothed gear 18, configured to rotate a shaft 13. In thisembodiment, depressing the foot pedal 12 causes a straight tooth rack 14to rotate the toothed gear 18. The gear 18 is secured to a shaft 13supported by a posts 24 and 26 on either side of the gear. The supportpost 26, in some embodiments, can be part of the base (or pedestal),rather than a separate member. The game call holder 15 is attached tothe end of the shaft 13. As the foot pedal 12 is depressed, the lengthof the travel of the rack 14 is such that it causes the game call holder15 (and thus the game call) to rotate, preferably 180 degrees.

Another embodiment of an acceptable rotating mechanism is depicted inFIGS. 3-5. In this embodiment, the rotating mechanism comprises asecuring arm 35 connected to the foot pedal (normally extending downwardfrom the foot pedal), a curved connecting member 36 having a first endand a second end, a rotating arm 37, and a rotatable shaft 38 whereinthe first end of the curved connecting member 36 is rotatably attachedto the securing arm 35 and the second end of the curved connectingmember 36 is rotatably attached to one end of the rotating arm 37, saidrotating arm 37 having a second end fixedly connected to the rotatableshaft 38. Alternative connection points can also be used rather than theends of the rotating arm 37. The animal call holder 15 is connected tothe rotatable shaft 38. When the foot pedal 12 is depressed, thesecuring arm 35 forces the curved connecting member 36 downward, therebyrotating the rotating arm 37, and thus the rotatable shaft 38. Thesecuring arm 35 is preferably placed on the bottom of the foot pedal,but could be located in other positions, for example the side of thefoot pedal 12. The securing arm 35 may also be cast as part of the footpedal 12 rather than a separate piece.

Other rotating mechanisms are known in the art, and one of skill in theart will recognize that numerous rotating mechanism may be used. Thetype of rotating mechanism is not a limitation of the invention.

The foot pedal 12 may also use a rough surface (for example,protrusions) 30 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) to increase the traction on the footpedal 12. The base 19 may also include sound dampening material on thelower surface to decrease the potential for noise when using theinvention.

The invention may also include an optional attachment mechanism. In manyinstances, a user may be in an elevated viewing or hunting location,often in the form of a ladder stand (combined ladder and platform), aclimbing stand (two separate pieces, one for the user's feet and one tohelp the user climb), or a strap-on stand (a single platform often usedin connection with separate screw in steps or other climbing device).Alternatively, the user may be in some type of structure or shelter. Inthese locations, it may be preferable to allow the user to secure theinvention to the stand or structure itself to increase the stability ofthe device. This can be accomplished in any known method used in the artto attach a device to another surface. The manner of attaching theinvention to a stand or other structure is not a limitation of theinvention.

Applicant has found that a spring-biased clamp 16 (see FIG. 2) on theunderside of the base 19 sufficiently secures the invention and allowseasy removal of the call holder. In this embodiment, the clamp comprisesa clamp base 23, a hinge pin 25, a lower clamp jaw 20, and one or moresprings 17. The lower clamp jaw 20 is depressed on one side of the hingepin 25 causing it to open. When released, the springs 17 will hold theclamp closed, securing the device to the solid fixture. The foregoingclamp is just one configuration of the attachment mechanism, andalternative attachment configurations known in the art can be used.Examples of alternative ways to attach the device include a bolt and nutconfiguration, hook and loop material, or even a sticky material on theunderside of the base 19.

1. A hands free animal call rotating device comprising: a) a foot pedalhaving a proximate end and a distal end; b) a base having a proximateend and a distal end, wherein the proximate end of the foot pedal andthe proximate end of the base are connected at a pivot point; c) arotating mechanism connected to the distal end of the foot pedal,wherein the rotating mechanism comprises a securing arm extendingdownward from the foot pedal, a curved connecting member having a firstend and a second end, a rotating arm, and a rotatable shaft, wherein thefirst end of the curved connecting member is rotatably attached to thesecuring arm and the second end of the curved connecting member isrotatably attached to one end of the rotating arm, said rotating armhaving a second end fixedly connected to a rotatable shaft; and d) ananimal call holder connected to the rotatable shaft and configured toretain an animal call.
 2. The hands free animal call rotating device ofclaim 1 further comprising an attachment mechanism connected to thebase.
 3. The hands free animal call rotating device of claim 1 whereinthe foot pedal has protrusions on its top surface.
 4. An apparatus forrotating an animal call comprising: a) a foot pedal; b) a pedestal, saidpedestal comprising a vertical member having a shaft aperture thereinand a horizontal member, and wherein the foot pedal and said horizontalmember of the pedestal are connected at a pivot point; c) a rotatingmechanism connected to the foot pedal wherein the rotating mechanismincludes a rotatable shaft positioned through the shaft aperture of thevertical member of the pedestal; and d) an animal call holder attachedto the rotatable shaft of the rotating mechanism, whereby a downwardforce on the foot pedal causes the animal call holder to rotate.
 5. Theapparatus for rotating an animal call of claim 4, further comprising aspring biased between the foot pedal and the pedestal.
 6. The apparatusfor rotating an animal call of claim 4, further comprising an attachmentmechanism.
 7. The apparatus for rotating an animal call of claim 6wherein the pedestal has a top side and a bottom side, and theattachment mechanism extends from the bottom side of the pedestal, andthe attachment mechanism is a clamp.
 8. The apparatus for rotating ananimal call of claim 4 wherein the animal call holder is generally inthe shape of a half circle.
 9. The apparatus for rotating an animal callof claim 4 wherein the pedestal has a top side and a bottom side, andfurther comprises sound dampening material on the bottom side of thepedestal.
 10. A device for rotating an animal call comprising: a) apedal having a first end and a second end; b) a pedestal having a firstend and a second end, said pedal and pedestal connected at a pivotpoint; c) a rotating mechanism having a rotatable shaft operativelyconnected to the pedal such that vertical motion of the pedal rotatessaid rotatable shaft; and d) a game call holder connected to therotatable shaft of the rotating mechanism.
 11. The device for rotatingan animal call of claim 10 further comprising an attachment mechanism.12. The device for rotating an animal call of claim 11 wherein theattachment mechanism is a clamp.
 13. The device for rotating an animalcall of claim 10 further comprising a spring biased between the pedaland the pedestal.
 14. The device for rotating an animal call of claim 10wherein the top surface of the pedal has a rough surface.
 15. The devicefor rotating an animal call of claim 10 wherein the pivot point islocated at the first end of the pedal and the first end of the pedestal.16. The device for rotating an animal call of claim 10 wherein fullydepressing the pedal causes the game call holder to rotate 180 degrees.17. The device for rotating an animal call of claim 10 wherein therotating mechanism comprises a straight tooth rack and a toothed gear.18. The device for rotating an animal call of claim 10 wherein therotating mechanism further comprises a securing arm extending downwardfrom the pedal, a curved connecting member having a first end and asecond end, and a rotating arm, wherein the first end of the curvedconnecting member is rotatably attached to the securing arm and thesecond end of the curved connecting member is rotatably attached to therotating arm, said rotating arm having a second end fixedly connected tothe rotatable shaft.
 19. The device for rotating an animal call of claim10 wherein the animal call holder is generally in the shape of a halfcircle.
 20. The device for rotating an animal call of claim 19 whereinthe animal call holder further comprises attachment points for a strap.